This single serving, oil-free Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is like magic. It's so easy & perfect for when those sweet cravings hit & you NEED dessert, like now!
I'm not a big microwave fan. I have one but very rarely use it. I am however fascinated by super quick vegan desserts like vegan mug cakes. I have a sweet tooth and the thought of being able to go from zero to dessert in sixty seconds is extremely appealing! I had a taste of this with my Strawberry Mug Cake. Vegan mug cake recipes for the win!
Back in October, I started experimenting with a Cinnamon Roll in a Mug recipe, or Cinnamon Bun in a Mug as some might think of it. A whole batch is lovely, but sometimes that's not what you want. A single-serving Cinnamon Roll is just plenty.
It went well and I was about to publish it, until I came to edit my photographs. Someone (who shall remain nameless), looked at the photos and immediately fell about laughing. Apparently, my cinnamon roll looked a little rude !
Now dirty mind or not, once this was mentioned to me, try as I might, I could not un-see it. I really wanted to get the recipe out to you guys so posted the photos in a food bloggers Facebook group and asked their opinion. They all agreed with the afore mentioned dirty minded person.
So that was that. I couldn't use the photos and had to go out and buy a new mug, reshoot, then Christmas was nearly here, so the recipe has taken a back seat until now. Those of you who saw it on Instagram and wanted the recipe have had a long wait!
(If you want to see the photos that caused all the fuss I have included two of them at the very end of this post under the recipe....see if you can see it....).
My Cinnamon Roll in a Mug is warm, sticky, doughy and cinnamony. The perfect indulgent treat for those times when you absolutely need dessert right now. It is completely oil-free and although not what I would call healthy, it is certainly better for you than most commercially made cinnamon rolls.
If you love mug cakes, check out my Strawberry Sweet Roll Mug Cake and if mug cakes aren't for you but you like sweet rolls, then you might want to check out my Sticky Lemon Strawberry Sweet Rolls. They are divine and are cooked in more of a traditional way.
The roll itself is not overly sweet, although you could add sugar to the actual dough if you wanted to make it a little sweeter. With the addition of the frosting though, the sweetness is perfect.
How to make a cinnamon roll in a mug
(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).
It is so easy to make. It literally takes a minute or two to form and about fifty seconds to cook.
Once it's cooked, turn it out onto a plate and admire it's cinnamon roll beauty for a second before anointing it with a generous dribble of frosting. Then tuck in immediately. Don't keep it hanging around. It is best eaten right away because once it cools it gets a bit tough.
Here's how it's done:
- Make the frosting by mixing powdered sugar with a drop of plant-based milk or water
- Mix the 4 dough ingredients together in a bowl then roll out into a long strip
- Sprinkle over the cinnamon and sugar then fold the edges inwards.
- Roll up and plop into a mug.
- Microwave, turn out and annoint with the sticky white frosting
That's it! It really is that simple, but before you start please read the next paragraph.
Please read prior to making this recipe!
I am adding this section after publication because of some of the feedback I have received. The vast majority of people have been very pleased with the results of this recipe, but some people have not, and in almost all cases it is because they have had very unreal expectations of the outcome, or they have nuked the hell out of it in the microwave. Quite a few people have also stuck things in the middle of it before cooking, like a Kit Kat Chunky then complained it burned. I cannot be held responsible for this.
Regarding the unreal expectations:
If you are expecting a Cinnabon type baked, yeasty, fatty, caramelized, super sweet cinnamon roll you will be disappointed. This recipe is not like that. For a start it is oil and yeast free. Secondly, it is a very simplified, quick and easy version. It is also microwaved. It will stay pale and it will not caramelize. This is not possible in the microwave. As long as you realize this and aren't expecting a miracle, then we are good. For a microwaved, simple, quick version it is great and it needs to be enjoyed as such.
Regarding the overcooking issues:
Please realize that if you cook this cinnamon roll for too long, it will become tough, as anything does in the microwave if you overcook it. I am only able to tell you how long it takes in my microwave. They are all very different and you need to adjust the cooking time to suit as per my directions.
I can not be held responsible for you cooking it for so long it ends up like a hockey puck.
As I explain in the directions it is better to slightly undercook then blast it in 5 second increments to finish it off. Microwaves are very powerful things and this is a very small item to be cooking. Even 10 seconds too much makes a heck of a difference.
And lastly
Do not forget the baking powder and DO NOT use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda in the UK) instead. This seems to be another recurring issue. If you do not use baking powder it will not work.
This cinnamon roll must be eaten immediately. If you let it cool first or try to reheat it again it will become tough.
All of my recipes are tested rigorously before publishing and if the directions are followed exactly, and cooking time is adjusted to suit your microwave, you will get a good result.
Thank you and I will now get off my soap box.
I did experiment with different flour types while trialling this recipe and all purpose white flour works the best. Whole-wheat gives an ok result, and as much as I love spelt flour, I didn't really like it in this. I also tried gluten-free blend and the results were not good. On the back of this I would recommend you use all purpose flour and not to try subbing it as I want you to have the best result possible.
Just look at this inside shot!!! <double drool>
Hungry for more?
For more vegan mug cake recipes check out these great options:
One Minute Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
Author:
Ingredients
For the cinnamon roll
- 9 level tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- a pinch of salt
- Around 3-4½ tablespoons water
- A tiny dab of oil for greasing the mug coconut or mild olive oil/vegetable oil
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1½ tablespoons coconut sugar you can sub any fine sugar - don't use one with large chunky grains unless you don't mind the grainy texture when it's cooked
- ½ teaspoon water
For the frosting
- 3 tablespoons natural powdered sugar
- A drop of plant-based milk or water around ¾ teaspoon
INSTRUCTIONS
- Grease a normal sized drinking mug (just a standard medium sized one) with a tiny dab of oil. Be sure to reach into the bottom and the edges well.
- First make the frosting. In a small bowl mix the powdered sugar with either plant-based milk or water. Add the liquid a tiny bit at a time. It doesn't take much at all and the most you will need is ¾ teaspoon of water, perhaps a tiny drop more if you are using milk. Stir well until smooth then set aside.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt to another small bowl and stir to combine.
- Gradually add the water (from the 3-4½ tablespoons, stirring until it starts to form a dough then use your hand to bring it together, kneading a few times until its a smooth, flexible ball of dough. If you do accidentally add a drop too much water and it's a bit sticky, add a little tiny bit more flour. If it's very dry and won't come together, add a drop more water. Only handle it as much as you need to.
- Dust your work surface with a little flour, then roll your dough out into a long strip about 4 inches wide and a couple of millimetres thick
- Sprinkle the coconut sugar and cinnamon evenly over the dough then fold the edges inwards to seal it in and stop it all falling out when you lift it into the mug.(see my video above).
- You will be left with a long narrow strip which you can roll up.
- Roll it up and gently lift it and place it in the greased mug.
- Pour over ½ teaspoon water then place in the microwave.
- Microwave uncovered on full power for around 45 - 50 seconds. My microwave is 1200 watts. You may need to adjust the time a bit up or down. All microwaves are different so be careful not to overcook it. If you overcook it it will become tough so be sure to check how powerful your microwave is first and adjust accordingly. The very maximum time it will need is about 1 min 10 seconds and that is only if you have a really low powered microwave. Remember that it will continue to cook a little bit after you remove so a tiny bit under done is better than overdone as then it will go tough. If it needs longer cook in 5 second increments to avoid over cooking it.
- It should have swollen up nicely when you check it and if you insert a toothpick or skewer into the dough it should come out clean. It is normal for the top and sides to be a little soft & damp & look a bit doughy when you first take it out because it has basically steamed in the mug.
- Turn out onto a plate and spoon over the frosting. Eat immediately.
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Here are the first pictures I took!
Linda says
Hi Mel,
Can this be made with a gluten free four? I'm guessing you would have added that if it were possible, but I can't resist asking as I am trying so hard to help one of my daughters find gluten free recipes. However, I have given her your web site & told her that you do offer gluten free when applicable. Just thought I'd take a little leap & ask re: this particular recipe.
Thank you for any help you may have to offer! I get your daily emails & my daughter & I just love them!
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Linda. Glad you're enjoying the emails! I've never tried this recipe gluten-free. I'm sure someone in the comments said they did successfully but I can't find it. There are so many comments on this recipe now it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you try it let us know how it goes!
Bec says
Not sure about the other negative reviews as this was perfect for me! Absolutely divine, food-coma worthy.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Bec and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. It's much appreciated!
Zoe says
I'm a home baker and sell cinnamon rolls on a weekly basis. Tonight I had a craving for something sweet and wanted to try a mug cake like I always used to make in college. I find this to be a satisfying treat! As to the disappointed reviews, I think its definitely key not to overcook it. My microwave is 1000W output, and I cooked it for 50 seconds in a nice sturdy ceramic mug. I think I could have done even shorter time since mine had just a slight chew to it. I would definitely make this again when I need a quick fix for a sweet treat!
payton says
mine came out rubbery and dry sorry but it was disgusting
Brooklyn says
Hi! :) Am I able to prepare this tonight, refrigerate it and cook it in the morning? I’d love to make this tonight for a breakfast treat for myself in the morning.
A Virtual Vegan says
No I'm afraid it needs to be made fresh otherwise the baking powder will lose its power. It takes next to no time to throw together though!
Carlotta says
this was sooo good. I was carving smth sweet and it was perfect. I was worried it would be tough from the reviews, but it was soft and delicious
Meg says
I tried this and it satisfied my craving! I put mine in for 45 sec and my microwave is 1550 watt. For it taking almost no time and being vegan, this does the trick!
Kennedy says
It was a good experiment but it was kinda chewy still and it tasted like straight up dough and glaze, so it wasn't to good.
Ruxandra says
Not as good as a real cinnamon roll but sometimes you just have to compromise on texture of you want to save time and hassle, which is exactly the case with this cinnamon roll. And it tasted good, it was just that the dough ended up a bit like a flat bread. But the sugar-cinnamon syrup that gathered at the bottom of my mug was a nice surprise, and in combination with the icing, made it really yummy.
Michelle says
Best mug cake I've tried. I'm not a baker so love that I can have a cinnamon roll so quickly with no fuss.
Jane says
TERRIBLE!! Made this for my brother and I and we both hated it. It tasted like nothing but straight up dough. No cinnamon flavor at all. I followed the directions to a T and I am extremely dissatisfied with the results.
Dalilah says
Definitely! Mine had the cinnamon flavour but it tasted nothing like a cinnamon roll! Just a weird chewy bread. I couldn’t tell if it was over cooked or undercooked it was so weird!
Jackie says
Amazing for a mug cake. Not sure what all the Debbie-Downers are expecting!
Elisa says
Disgusting just horrible!! Never try this honestly it's so hard. It smelled so good then I took a bite and i thought it was going to chip a tooth!!?
solomie says
can you replace the baking soda with yeast? thanks!!
A Virtual Vegan says
It uses baking powder not soda, but no you can't use yeast. It's made and cooked too quickly for yeast to work.
solomie says
okay, can i replace it with self rising flour then?
A Virtual Vegan says
The recipe has only been tested with all purpose flour. You would need to either omit or reduce the baking powder and the salt if you use self-raising flour otherwise there would be too much raising agent and salt in the recipe. As I haven't tested it like that I can't say exactly by how much so it will be trial and error if you give it a go.
teen says
absolutely delicious! a little tough cause i might have overcooked it a little bit but it tastes amazing
Anita says
Followed the recipe but the dough sucked and would not form, got too frustrated and will look elsewhere for an actual recipe